Physical disability from disease or injury often results in a permanent state of social insufficiency, especially when the disability is reinforced by individual or environmental factors. In a study of almost 700 persons treated at a Norwegian rehabilitation center, regression analysis was used to compare those who benefited from the program with those who did not. The hypothesis tested was basically that the population referred to the institute differed significantly from the region's general population in several respects. The investigation found complex relationships between variables, with the most significant failure characteristics being age and mental disturbance. The study stressed the need to counteract passive dependence, in order to strengthen self-confidence and motivation. (BH)